A WICKED challenge is being thrown out to walkers to complete a gruelling circuit of witch country.

The third annual Pendle Witch Way challenge walk takes place on April 27 and organisers are hoping to improve on the cash total raised in previous years.

The 25-mile slog starts and finishes at Barley Village Hall and takes in Pendleside villages such as Newchurch, Sabden and Downham.

The route falls in the shadow of Pendle Hill and, according to organisers, for those with a little imagination it follows a course similar to the outline of a witch on a broomstick.

An entry fee of £6.50 covers snacks and drinks along the way, a hot meal and a certificate at the end. Money raised by the event will go towards a building fund for a new headquarters for the Pendle Forest Scout and Guide Group.

The fund is a third of its way towards the £90,000 total and the group is hoping foundations for the new building can be laid later this year. It will be built in a field next to St Anne's Church Hall, Fence, where the group is based at the moment.

Walk secretary Gwen Nutter said: "The first two walk days were fine and dry. We're hoping that this year's will be the same.

"In the past we've had around 180 people take part and we've raised £1,000 each year through the walk itself. There are 14 checkpoints along the way to make sure no-one gets lost and we've got the help of the St John Ambulance Brigade and RAYNET, which is providing us with a communications network."

Numbers for the walk will be limited to 250 and those taking part have to be 16 years or older.

No entries will be accepted on the day. Entry forms are available from Mrs Nutter, 392 Wheatley Lane Road, Fence, Burnley BB12 9QA.

Anyone interested is asked to enclose a stamped addressed envelope.

The walk is not to be confused with the similarly named Pendle Witches Trail, between Barrowford and Lancaster, which opened last weekend.

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